News, notes and ramblings from the Mozilla project

25 Years of Human Potential

The World Wide Web is the greatest tool for knowledge sharing and collaboration we have ever seen. In the 25 years it has existed — only a third of a modern lifespan– the Web has affected almost every aspect of life for much of humanity, and will do so for even more of humanity in the years to come.

The Web shows us the creativity and ingenuity and diversity of humanity. The Web empowers all of us to try out new ideas and offer them to the world, without needing to ask the powerful for permission. The rapid pace of innovation shows us what humanity is capable of when powerful tools are made equally available to all of us.

The next 25 years will show us whether this openness can be maintained in some significant degree or whether the Web will become “business as usual.” Today many groups are working to tame this explosive openness and potential, some for very legitimate and understandable reasons. Governments seek to limit or control the Web to protect their citizens, either from criminal activities or to protect cultural norms. Some governments seek to regulate the Internet to protect and propagate their own positions. Companies seek to tame the Web to build their business and return value to shareholders.

Mozilla believes that the full range of human potential must be represented on the Web. We believe that the power of the Web is a global public resource, open and accessible to all. We will continue our dedication to building this portion of the Web and of online life.

Today on the Web’s 25th birthday, we are joining with the Web at 25 campaign and the Web We Want campaign to enable and amplify the voice of the Internet community. We encourage you to visit www.webat25.org to send a birthday greeting to the Web and visit our interactive quilt to share your vision for the type of Web you want.